5 Best Hot Tub Stairs & 5 Dumb Mistakes to Avoid When Making a Choice

The hot tub is made to fully relax and get the most health benefits when using it. But you can’t enjoy using it when going in and out is inconvenient and even dangerous. The surface of the hot tub is often very slippery and there is a high risk of falling and injuring yourself.

Buyers Products Poly Step

Category winner: The most sturdy

– Stable construction due to wide bottom step; 
– Perfect height for most hot tubs;

Some things should not be neglected and it is important to take care of your health, protecting yourself from falls as much as possible. The way out of this situation will be to buy steps for the hot tub. Even though this is not the cheapest purchase, the steps will provide you with comfort and safety and will last for many years.

In our article, the 5 best steps for a hot tub are collected. We present you with a short table with their comparison. You also will find a more detailed review of each model, tips on how to choose your perfect hot tub steps, and 5 typical mistakes while choosing below.

Comparison table: 5 best models of hot tub stairs

Model
Characteristics
The safestLeisure Accents Deluxe Spa Hot Tub StepDimensions: 36 x 24 x 14 inches
Weight: 14.35 pounds
Material: Plastic
Load capacity: 300 lbs
Storage box: Yes
Benefits

- Non-slip surface on steps;
- Secure steps;
- Clear instructions;
- No additional tools are required when assembling
Jump to the detailed review
The most sturdyBuyers Products Poly StepDimensions: 21 x 24 x 16 inches
Weight: 13 pounds
Material: Plastic
Load capacity: 350 lbs
Storage box: No
Benefits

- Good construction due to wide bottom step;
- Perfect height for most hot tubs;
- Lightweight;
- Suitable for overweight people and elderly
Jump to the detailed review
The most stableRubbermaid 2-Step Molded Plastic StoolDimensions: 16.13 x 18.625 x 18.25 inches
Weight: 5.6 pounds
Material: Plastic
Load capacity: 300 lbs
Storage box: Yes
Benefits

- Stable due to well-balanced construction;
- Secure steps;
- Perfect for children due to lightweight;
- Safe design;
- Non-slip surface
Jump to the detailed review
The highest quality of materialsConfer Handi-Step for Round/Straight Sided SpaDimensions: 29 x 23 x 14 inches
Weight: 13 pounds
Material: Plastic
Load capacity: 350 lbs
Storage box: No
Benefits

- High quality of materials due to molded plastic construction;
- Secure steps due to non-slip surface;
- Safe and practical design;
- UV resisted (do not lose color and durability thanks to a special covering);
- Withstands rain
Jump to the detailed review
The most durableVinyl Works Junior Resin Spa and Hot Tub Steps

Dimensions: 20 x 21 x 15 inches
Weight: 12.8 pounds
Material: Plastic
Load capacity: 350 lbs
Storage box: No
Benefits

- The most durable due to strong blow-molded plastic construction;
- Multifunctional due to small size;
- Wide color palette;
- Sturdiness;
- UV-protected (do not lose color and durability thanks to a special covering);
- No additional tools are required when assembling
Jump to the detailed review

How to choose your perfect hot tub stairs

1. First of all, focus on the shape of your hot tub. It can be round or straight and you should choose according to this. It’s important to choose the design which will fit the design of the spa so that the steps fit snugly against the walls of the jacuzzi and there is no risk of falling. Measure what is the size of space where stairs will be used and the height of the hot tub and choose the stairs according to this.

2. Pay attention to the material the steps are made of and the disadvantages of it because it is important. For example, if you want wooden steps, there is a risk that they will become raw from the water. When drying the steps in the sun or other methods, the tree becomes weaker and there is a greater risk of breaking.

Metal and resin steps are not widespread and are bought very seldom because metal steps can start to rust quickly from water and resin are not always as sturdy as expected, so the best option is plastic steps as they are usually the strongest and have the lowest risk that some elements may break.

What is more, they are the most common, so there are hundreds of different models you can choose from. For example, Confer Handi-Step for Round/Straight Sided Spa (review), made from durable, high-quality plastic.

3. To know for sure whether these stairs will be used indoors or outdoors. If indoors it is important to make sure that they are not slippery and will not slide on the tile. If outdoors, make sure whether they are weatherproof and UV-resisted (do not lose color and durability thanks to a special covering).

4. Think who will use these steps: if elderly, children or overweight people, for each of them is extremely important sturdiness and stability, wide and non-slippery steps. What is more, they may need additional accessories such as handrails.

5. Decide whether the design is attractive for you and if there is a color of the steps that match your hot tub. It will not be a good purchase if you only think about characteristics and are not satisfied with the design. For example, Vinyl Works Junior Resin Spa and Hot Tub Steps have the widest palette and you can choose any color you want.

Why the choice of steps is important

There are many steps and it is important to choose the best option, the functionality of which will suit you and make the use of the jacuzzi the safest and the most comfortable for you personally. By buying steps you not only worry about your physical health but also make your life easier without thinking about how to climb in and out of the jacuzzi.

Many buyers are not serious about this issue and often buy steps based only on the description on the site. As a result, in the process of using the product, they realize that these steps are not suitable for them and they could have found a better option.

This article is designed so that you can compare different models of stairs and determine which characteristics are most important to you. It will help you to avoid an unfortunate shopping experience.

How did we choose

We conducted an in-depth market analysis and studied comments from more than a hundred buyers. Based on user comments, we have identified the most important criteria that must meet the best hot tub stairs and chose the top-5 models with the best functionality. To save your money and time, we present this analysis of each of the models to make your choice easier.

A detailed review of each model

Leisure Accents Deluxe Spa Hot Tub Step — the safest

Dimensions:36 x 24 x 14 inches 
Weight:14.35 pounds
Material:Plastic
Load capacity:300 lbs
Storage box:Yes
Benefits:Non-slip surface on steps;
Secure steps;
Clear instructions;
No additional tools are required when assembling

Pros

  • A textured surface on the steps to help prevent slipping when wet
  • Weatherproof (withstand rain and don’t lose color while it is sunny)
  • No additional tools are required when assembling
  • Has a storage
  • Easy to assemble thanks to clear instructions

Cons

  • The base color may be lighter than pictured

If you are looking for the most useful stairs with the highest level of safety, then they are. Thanks to the non-slippery surface, the steps are very safe and you can not worry that you may fall and injure yourself. Even if they are wet, they retain their properties and do not become slippery. For example, Vinyl Works Junior Resin Spa and Hot Tub Steps (review) may be a bit slippery when wet.

With storage space, they can help rid an extra shelf in your home of detergents for hot tubs or other care chemicals. What is more, you will be very pleased with their simple and quick assembly, which will take no more than 10 minutes. Although they do not require any additional tools or nails, they do not lose their properties and do not break due to the safe design.

Buyers Products Poly Step — the most sturdy

Dimensions:21 x 24 x 16 inches 
Weight:13 pounds
Material:Plastic
Load capacity:350 lbs
Storage box:No
Benefits:Good construction;
Perfect height for most hot tubs;
Suitable for overweight people; 
Suitable for elderly

Pros

  • 350 lbs load capacity while others have 300 lbs
  • Wide bottom step to make construction more stable
  • Easy to move due to built-in handle
  • Suitable for overweight people and elderly

Cons

  • Need a lot of storage space because they are quite large and don’t fold

Not all stairs can boast of such strength, but this model can. While most models, for example, Confer Handi-Step for Round/Straight Sided Spa (review) have a maximum load of 300 lbs, these stairs can withstand all 350 lbs.

If you find it difficult to trust the stairs with a maximum load of 300 lbs and you are afraid that they will break, then these stairs will help get rid of your fears. Even at a weight close to the maximum, they do not break or creak. What is more, they have a built-in handle for easy carrying.

Due to the solid design (constructed from UV stable, high-density polyethylene) and the fact that they are wider at the bottom, it makes them even safer. If you are still afraid of falling or find it difficult to keep your balance when using them, you can buy handrails to protect yourself as much as possible.

Rubbermaid 2-Step Molded Plastic Stool — the most stable

Dimensions:16.13 x 18.625 x 18.25 inches
Weight:5.6 pounds
Material:Plastic
Load capacity:300 lbs
Storage box:No
Benefits:Stable due to well-balanced design; 
Perfect for children; 
Lightweight; 
Safe design

Pros

  • Stable due to well-balanced design 
  • Easy to move (especially for children) thanks to lightweight
  • Does not tip even if you are not standing in the center
  • Safe design
  • Has special feet design that will not harm your floor and leave scratches

Cons

  • Doesn’t fold for easy storing
  • Not wide color palette

These stairs are very stable due to a balanced construction that is designed to maintain stability; even if you are standing on the edge, you will not fall. Although they are perfect for a hot tub, they can be easily used at home. And no matter where you want to use them, in both cases they will be safe due to a non-slip surface and thanks to the design which reduces the risk of falling to a minimum. 

What is more, they are perfect for children. If you have a restless toddler at home who constantly wants to help you wash the dishes or wants to brush his teeth himself, but does not get to the sink, these steps are for you. Due to their lightweight, it is easy for a child to move them around the house. For example, Leisure Accents Deluxe Spa Hot Tub Step (review) weighs almost 2.5 times more so it’s not easy to move it.

The kid can easily move them around the house and you don’t have to worry about scratches on the floor as these steps have special feet. They have soft sides, without sharp plastic which makes them completely safe for your floor. 

Confer Handi-Step for Round/Straight Sided Spa — the highest quality of materials

Confer Handi-Step for Round/Straight Sided Spa

Category winner: The highest quality of materials

Dimensions:29 x 23 x 14 inches
Weight:13 pounds
Material:Plastic
Load capacity:300 lbs
Storage box:No
Benefits:High quality of materials;
Secure steps; 
Practical design; 
Withstands rain

Pros

  • Has a high-quality, molded plastic construction
  • Comes with non-slip pads for the bottom of step’s feet
  • The ability to choose the top step — either curved for a round tub or straight for a square tub
  • Withstands rain
  • The steps are wide and deep to allow safe entrance and egress

Cons

  • The color in the picture may not correspond to reality and be darker
  • Needs 2 people to assemble

The steps are made in America, by one of the main manufacturers in the market (Confer), which has been the industry leader in the manufacture of steps for the jacuzzi and the hot tubs since the 1970’s. Confer Plastics uses very durable and high-quality plastic in every product. In the manufacture of steps, the technique of blow molding is used, which makes the model as integral as possible. As the result, no screws or additional materials are required to install them. Just assemble the pieces like a puzzle.

It will not be easy to find a more practical model. Thanks to its unique design you can choose what shape the steps will be depending on the shape of your hot tub. For example, other models such as Buyers Products Poly Step (review) can be used only with a straight hot tub. When assembling, you will see that one step is straight and the other is round. The top step should be chosen according to the shape of the jacuzzi. Despite the different shapes, the steps look harmonious and fit the design of almost any hot tub.

Most importantly, they come with non-slip pads to stick to the bottom. This means that they are safe to use both outdoors and indoors and will not slide on the floor. But if you decide to use it outdoors, it will not be a bad idea because this model is well adapted to weather conditions and easily withstands rain.

Vinyl Works Junior Resin Spa and Hot Tub Steps — the most durable

Dimensions:20 x 21 x 15 inches
Weight:12.8 pounds
Material:Plastic
Load capacity:300 lbs
Storage box:No
Benefits:Can be used in the home, garden, or camping site;
A wide color palette; 
Sturdy; 
UV protected

Pros

  • Sturdy thanks to durable blow-molded plastic
  • Wide color palette
  • UV protected (do not lose color and durability thanks to a special covering)
  • Can be used almost anywhere: hot tub, home, garden, camping site
  • Assembling can be done by one person

Cons

  • Can slide on the floor

If you are looking for steps that will be used for different purposes and in different places, then this model is perfect for you. The design of this model, thanks to its small size and sturdiness, allows you to not only comfortably get in the hot tub but also to easily move and use them anywhere: hot tub, at home, in the garden, while camping, for a comfortable getting into the trailer, or even to get on a horse.

Thanks to UV protection, the steps do not lose their color or strength, so you can safely leave them in the sun. They also easily withstand rainy weather, as they do not absorb moisture and remain strong.

They are also very easy to assemble and do not require any additional tools. Thanks to the smart design which contains a wide and sturdy bottom and top step, they keep the durability and even in case of breakage, your money will be returned because this model has a year warranty.

But, unlike Confer Handi-Step for Round/Straight Sided Spa (review), they can slide on the floor because they don’t have non-slip pads on the bottom of the steps. So be careful while using them on the tile.

5 typical mistakes while choosing hot tub stairs:

  1. Incorrect measurements. You don’t need to measure the height of the hot tub or the area of ​​the available space by eye. It may turn out that the stairs will simply be uncomfortable to move and use.
  2. Not paying attention to whether it will be used indoors or outdoors. Make sure that the steps have non-slip pads on the bottom if you’re gonna use them indoors. Otherwise, it will not be stable and will slide on laminate or tile. If they will be used outdoors, make sure whether they are weatherproof and UV-resisted (do not lose color and durability thanks to a special covering).
  3. Focusing only on design and color. It’s important to know that stairs will match the design of your hot tub but it’s not the main thing. Pay attention to the dimensions of the product, its load capacity, and material. When you will use these steps you will probably think more about safety than design.
  4. Reading only the description. In the description, there are only technical characteristics but no information about the sturdiness of the product or the quality of materials. That’s why describing the products in our article, we mostly rely on user feedback. Try to analyze other people’s comments to understand all pros and cons of this product.
  5. Focusing on the low price. Don’t think that you can find good steps for too low price. In general, the price always corresponds to the quality and if the price of these steps is several times lower than on other models, it is worth thinking about whether they are made of high quality. Remember that you are buying a product not for a few days, but many years, and it is better to spend more now to buy a product that will work for years.

Accessories to improve the use of your hot tub

Handrails

Sometimes it’s hard to keep your balance by walking up the stairs, especially when they are wet. To protect yourself, it is better to buy handrails. Below we have listed the handrails for the most convenient use of the steps:

Model
CoverMate 7930 Spa Side Handrail with Base

VEVOR Hot Tub Handrail
Dimensions37 x 18 x 4 inches 32.7 x 24.4 x 4.1 inches 
Weight22.4 pounds 36 pounds 
MaterialMetalMetal
Rotation360°360°
Load capacity600 lbs600 lbs
Benefits– Locking feature to allow the handrail to be fixed in any position for increased safety;
– Fits the height of most hot tub models
– A wrapped rubber grip is attached to the handrail to secure you from falling;
– Made from heavy-duty stainless steel with a baked-on powder finish
Price

Non-slip pads

If you are going to use your steps at home, they may slide on the tile. Therefore, it is better to insure yourself and buy non-slip pads to stick to the bottom of your steps to make the stairs as stable as possible. Here is one of the best options:

Premium Furniture Pads

– Prevent sliding of furniture;
– Easy to peel and stick;
– Protects the floor from damage and scratches when moving the object;
– Has a strong glue, so it is long and reliable attached to the subject

Summary

We hope that this article has helped you to get an idea of ​​the choice of steps for the hot tub and what characteristics are most important. The main thing is to decide for yourself what suits you best and what you like visually. Only then the purchase will be really useful.

Remember to pay attention to the maximum load capacity, whether it has storage or can be assembled by one person. Also, read carefully whether they have a non-slip surface and are stable enough.

Our top 5 best hot tub steps are based on these criteria: sturdiness, stability, non-slip surface, the quality of the material, the quality of the construction, safe design, wide color palette, secure and wide steps, whether they withstand rain and are UV-protected, and include the following models:

FAQ

💪 Is it difficult to assemble the steps?

In general, it depends on the model of the stairs. If they do not require additional materials and contain detailed instructions, it is not difficult at all and takes no more than 10 minutes. If you do not want to do assembly, some models do not require it.

Models that are sold already assembled:
Buyers Products Poly Step — the most sturdy
Rubbermaid 2-Step Molded Plastic Stool — the most stable

🤷‍♀️ Is it possible to assemble the steps by myself without the help of another person?

Most stairs are designed to be assembled by one person. But there may be a situation when it takes another pair of hands to hold some parts or step on a step to lock them.

The steps that can be easily assembled by one person:
Leisure Accents Deluxe Spa Hot Tub Step — the safest
Vinyl Works Junior Resin Spa and Hot Tub Steps — the most durable

🐘 Do the steps withstand the maximum specified weight?

Yes. The maximum weight is not indicated simply, but detailed experiments are performed to be certain about the maximum weight. They can only break if the material is of poor quality or when there is more than the specified maximum weight. In this article, you can read about the most sturdy model — Buyers Products Poly Step (review), which can hold up to 350 lbs, while others can less.

📏 How tall should hot tub steps be?

It depends on the model of the hot tub, but on average the ideal height varies from 14 to 16 inches. The model with the perfect height for most hot tubs — Buyers Products Poly Step (review) with a height of 16 inches.

🦶 Does additional coverage be required on the step to prevent slipping?

It depends on whether your stairs already have a non-slip surface. For example, Leisure Accents Deluxe Spa Hot Tub Step (review) has a textured surface on the steps to help prevent slipping when wet. If the stairs do not have such a surface, you should look at other models.

Peter Rossi

Hi, I’m Peter Rossi, a professional hot tub designer and founder of ByRossi. After having spent over 10 years designing hot tubs for Jacuzzi Group, I started a private practice. Now I design bespoke hot tubs for high-end apartments. I am based in New York, but my clients are all over the world – from San Francisco to Paris, Dubai, London and Tokyo. One thing I enjoy is writing. Hot tubs manufacturers have always been notorious for pushing cheap, subpar products for crazy prices, making profits on naive first-time buyers. So I consider it my social mission to share my expertise and educate clients on who is who in the industry. Lately, I started to work with other people who help me to develop the business. In particular, a couple of great researchers and veteran journalists help me convert my raw thoughts into beautiful articles which you might enjoy reading on ByRossi. Hope my efforts help.

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